New Acupuncture Magnetoencephalography Results

23 May 2012

Researchers measured brain responses to acupuncture with magnetoencephalography (MEG) and concluded that acupuncture induces specific responses to brain Regions of Interest (ROIs). Researchers took MEG measurements of the frontal, central, temporal, parietal and occipital regions of the brain while study participants were needled at acupuncture point ST36 (Zusanli). The Acupuncture MEGcontrol group received acupuncture needle stimulation at a nearby non-acupuncture point. The researchers discovered that, “Significantly increased delta power and decreased alpha as well as beta power in bilateral frontal ROIs were observed following stimulation at ST36.”

MEG and Brain WavesMEG maps brain activity by measuring naturally occurring magnetic fields in the brain, which are produced by electric currents produced by the brain. Alpha waves are neural oscillations in the 8-12 Hz range. These brain waves occur during wakeful relaxation with the eyes closed.

Alpha WavesAlpha waves diminish with the eyes open, during drowsiness and sleep. Alpha waves are thought to be related to visual cortex activity and to play a role in network coordination and communication. Alpha wave intrusion is the appearance of alpha waves during non-REM sleep, a time when delta wave activity is normally dominant. Alpha wave intrusion is commonly found in patients with chronic fatigue and may be associated with fibromyalgia.